Learn about Stills Disease Treatment in Turkey — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Stills Disease and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Stills Disease

Stills Disease, also known as Adult-Onset Still's Disease (AOSD), is not a procedure but a rare systemic autoinflammatory disorder. A Rheumatologist manages this condition through a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment approach. The process involves a detailed clinical evaluation to identify hallmark symptoms like high spiking fevers, salmon-pink rash, and joint pain. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, supported by blood tests showing extremely high inflammatory markers (like ferritin) and the exclusion of infections, cancers, and other rheumatic diseases. Treatment is tailored to control inflammation and prevent complications, often starting with medications like NSAIDs and corticosteroids, and potentially advancing to advanced Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) or biologics for long-term management.

Key Highlights

    Accurate Diagnosis: Expert clinical evaluation by a Rheumatologist is crucial for distinguishing AOSD from other conditions with similar symptoms.Personalized Treatment Plans: Management is tailored to disease severity, ranging from simple anti-inflammatories to advanced biologic therapies.Symptom Control: Effective treatment aims to rapidly control debilitating fevers, rash, and joint inflammation, improving quality of life.listrongPrevention of Complications:/strong Long-term management helps prevent serious complications like chronic arthritis, macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), or organ damage./lilistrongMultidisciplinary Approach:/strong Care often involves coordination with other specialists (e.g., for liver, heart, or lung involvement) for comprehensive management./li/ul

Who is this surgery for?

  • Presentation of high, spiking fevers (often >39°C) once or twice daily that return to normal.
  • Characteristic salmon-pink, non-itchy rash that often coincides with fever spikes.
  • Severe joint pain (arthralgia) or swelling (arthritis), commonly affecting knees, wrists, and ankles.
  • Sore throat, muscle pain, and significant fatigue.
  • Laboratory findings of very high inflammatory markers, notably elevated ferritin and white blood cell count, with negative tests for autoantibodies like rheumatoid factor and ANA.
  • Exclusion of infections (e.g., sepsis), malignancies (e.g., lymphoma), and other rheumatic diseases.

How to prepare

  • Medical History Review: Prepare a detailed history of your fever patterns, rash, joint symptoms, and any previous treatments.
  • Symptom Diary: Keeping a log of daily fever temperatures, rash appearance, and pain levels can be very helpful for diagnosis.
  • Diagnostic Tests: Be prepared for extensive blood work to check inflammatory markers, liver function, and ferritin levels, and to rule out other conditions.
  • Imaging: Your doctor may order X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI of affected joints to assess inflammation and damage.
  • Consultation Readiness: The initial consultation will be thorough; be ready to discuss all symptoms in detail and provide past medical records.

Risks & possible complications

  • Disease-Related Risks: Potential progression to chronic arthritis, life-threatening macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), or inflammation affecting the heart, lungs, or liver.
  • Medication Side Effects: Long-term corticosteroid use can lead to weight gain, osteoporosis, diabetes, and increased infection risk. DMARDs and biologics carry risks of immunosuppression and specific organ toxicities.
  • Diagnostic Uncertainty: As a diagnosis of exclusion, the process can be lengthy, and misdiagnosis is possible without a specialist.
  • Flare-ups: The disease can have unpredictable flares even with treatment, requiring medication adjustments.
  • Impact on Quality of Life: Chronic pain, fatigue, and the psychological burden of a rare disease can significantly affect daily living.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Acute Phase Management: Initial high-dose medications aim to quickly suppress inflammation and control symptoms; response is closely monitored.
  • Medication Tapering: As symptoms improve, corticosteroids are carefully tapered to the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects.
  • Long-Term Maintenance: Many patients require long-term maintenance therapy with DMARDs (like methotrexate) or biologics to prevent flares.
  • Regular Monitoring: Frequent follow-ups with the Rheumatologist for blood tests and clinical assessments are essential to monitor disease activity and medication safety.
  • Lifestyle & Support: Incorporating gentle exercise during remission, a balanced diet, and joining patient support groups can aid in overall well-being and coping.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 3-7 days (for severe initial presentation or complications like MAS)
  • checked Expected recovery time: Months to years (chronic management required)

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering stills disease in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for stills disease compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India USD 551 – USD 3,304 3-7 days (for severe initial presentation or complications like MAS) ~ Months to years (chronic management required) Know More
Turkey USD 4,098 – USD 24,587 3-7 days (for severe initial presentation or complications like MAS) ~ Months to years (chronic management required) Know More
PATIENT REVIEW

Vikram Jones, a 28-year-old software engineer,...

Vikram Jones, a 28-year-old software engineer, had always been active, but for six months he was plagued by a daily high fever that spiked in the evenings, accompanied by a faint salmon-pink rash on his torso and debilitating joint pain in his wrists and knees. Blood tests showed extremely high inflammatory markers, but infections and cancers were ruled out. His primary care doctor, suspecting an autoimmune condition, referred him to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist, after a thorough exam and reviewing his blood work, diagnosed him with Adult-Onset Still's Disease (AOSD). She recommended starting treatment with high-dose corticosteroids to quickly suppress the inflammation, followed by a longer-term immunosuppressant, methotrexate. The initial prednisone brought dramatic relief within days, breaking the fever cycle and easing the pain, though it caused insomnia and mood swings. Tapering onto methotrexate was a slower process, with some nausea. After three months, Vikram's inflammation was under control on a low, stable dose of medication. He could return to work and light exercise. Emotionally, he went from terrified and exhausted by the unexplained, cyclical illness to feeling immense relief and cautious optimism. He learned to manage a chronic condition, valuing his health more deeply while mourning the loss of his previous, carefree vitality.